Press Release, 20.06.2025

Photo: Viktor Shalyakin / Photo: by the Novgorod Region branch of Yabloko

The Novgorod branch of Yabloko nominated Viktor Shalyakin as a candidate for the post of Governor of Novgorod Region in the forthcoming elections. The conference delegates decided to nominate Viktor Shalyakin, a former military man, for the early elections of the Governor, who knows better than anyone what war and its price are. Viktor Shalyakin advocates a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and an end to the killing of people. Only a peaceful and free Russia has a chance for the future.

Viktor Shalyakin is a veteran of the Armed Forces, a retired aviation major, who spent 13 years in flight testing. After retiring, he was a military representative at the largest industrial enterprises of the Novgorod Oblast. Viktor Shalyakin has been a member of the Yabloko party since 2018, a member of the Novgorod Yabloko Bureau, and a member of the Federal Council of Yabloko.

Viktor Shalyakin’s programme for the Novgorod Region is aimed at improving the living standards and quality of life of people, combating poverty, overcoming infrastructural backwardness, and developing education and healthcare. Viktor Shalyakin proposes to create a temporary department of efficiency in the regional government, conduct an administrative reform within a year and reduce the number of officials by at least 30%, eliminate most of the structures close to the government and direct funds to solving social issues.

The conference delegates unanimously voted for the nomination of Viktor Shalyakin. His candidacy was previously approved by the Federal Bureau of the Yabloko party, also unanimously.

The next stage is the submission of documents to the Electoral Commission and the collection of signatures of municipal deputies in favour of his registration in the race.